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No Electricity Price Hike Despite IMF Recommendations
Says Energy Adviser
Energy Adviser Fauzul Kabir Khan
The government has decided not to raise electricity prices, despite pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Adviser Fauzul Kabir Khan.
Khan made the announcement in response to questions from journalists at Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed's office on December 19. He clarified that while the IMF had recommended an increase in electricity tariffs to ease the subsidy burden, the government had strongly argued against it.
“The IMF suggested that electricity prices should be raised to reduce the subsidy pressure. However, we explained that the public is already struggling with high inflation, and an increase in electricity prices would only worsen their hardship. The IMF has understood our position and agreed,” Khan said.
He also emphasized the government's efforts to reduce the subsidy burden by cutting the cost of electricity generation. “We have abolished a special provision from 2010 that allowed government secretaries to serve on the boards of various power companies. This move has ended the corruption that previously took place,” he added, assuring the public that necessary reforms were being implemented to improve transparency and efficiency in the sector.